lidar

American  

[lahy-dahr] / ˈlaɪ dɑr /

Or LIDAR

noun

Electronics, Optics.

1. a device similar to radar in principle and operation but using infrared laser light instead of radio waves and capable of detecting particles, distant objects, and varying physical conditions in the atmosphere.

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lidar Scientific  

/ lī′där /

1. A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of pulsed laser light reflected from their surfaces. Lidar operates on the same principles as radar and sonar.

2. The equipment used in such detection.

3. See also Doppler effect radar sonar

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Etymology

Origin of lidar

1960–65; li(ght ¹ ) + (ra)dar

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lidar

Other vehicles use technology like radar and lidar, which uses lasers to create 3-D maps of the environment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

Pyka has used lidar from the outset to detect trees, vehicles, large birds and terrain.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

This combination of wide scanning, low interference, and strong beam quality addresses one of the central obstacles facing integrated lidar technology.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

Wayve, like Tesla, says its technology can do without the expensive laser-based lidar units that most of their peers rely on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

The practical application of lidar is a relatively recent development enabled by advances in laser, power management, and data processing technologies.

From Shock and Awe — Achieving Rapid Dominance by James P. Wade